Osun PDP Senatorial Ticket Dispute Deepens Over Rival Claims

A fresh crisis has broken out in the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after party chieftain Ibraheem Adekunle insisted that he remains the party’s duly nominated candidate for the Osun Central Senatorial District in the 2027 general election. The disagreement followed claims by Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi that he had returned to the PDP and emerged as the party’s candidate for the same seat.

Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Friday, Adekunle rejected Fadeyi’s claim, maintaining that he won the party’s primary election conducted for the senatorial district. He said the nomination process had been completed in line with the law and warned that he would seek legal action if anyone attempted to replace his name as the party’s candidate.

Adekunle also questioned the process through which Fadeyi reportedly returned to the PDP. He referred to reports that the senator obtained a waiver from the party on May 8, 2026, but later took part in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary held on May 18, 2026.

According to him, participating in the APC primary after allegedly rejoining the PDP raised questions about the legality of the process. He argued that it would be difficult for anyone to belong to two political parties at the same time while seeking the same elective position.

Adekunle further stated that by the time Fadeyi contested the APC primary, the PDP had already completed its own primary election for the Osun Central Senatorial District. He said his name had been forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the exercise and uploaded on the commission’s nomination portal in line with the required procedure.

He maintained that he remains the authentic PDP candidate for the district and expressed confidence that the party’s National Working Committee would uphold due process and respect the outcome of the primary election.

Adekunle also said he trusted the party leadership to protect the integrity of its nomination process and ensure that the rules governing candidate selection were followed.

He warned that he would use every legal means available to defend his nomination if any attempt was made to replace his name with another aspirant who did not emerge through the PDP primary election.

According to him, he is prepared to challenge any such move in court to protect what he described as his lawful mandate.